Travelers remain undaunted

Agencies get inquiries on rules, no cancellations

Agencies get inquiries on rules, no cancellations

August 12, 2006|ED RONCO Tribune Staff Writer

SOUTH BEND -- Local travel agents said Friday their business is still running at full throttle, and that a foiled terrorism plot hasn't scared away any travelers. "The only calls we had were people asking for updates on the airport regulations," said Ronald Schubert, president of TCU Travel in South Bend. On Thursday, U.S. travel officials banned liquids in carry-on luggage after British officials uncovered a plan to take down planes bound for the United States using liquid explosives. Baby formula and medicines are still allowed on board, but passengers have to present them for inspection. Still, Schubert said very few travelers are letting those changes affect their travel plans and he's heard from no one fearing another attack. In fact, he spent Friday preparing documents for a group of 47 people traveling to Rome, and said his office had booked 16 tickets to various destinations as of midday Friday. "We all, in the travel industry, in the media and everything else, must accentuate the positive and not get into emotions and drama and suppositions and all of that," he said. Traffic has returned to pre-Sept. 11, 2001 levels, said Paul Ruden, senior vice president for legal and industry affairs at the American Society of Travel Agents, just outside Washington, D.C. Travel is an enormous business in this country. According to the society, it accounts for $162 billion in payroll, and 7.3 million jobs in the United States alone. So it's entirely possible travel agents cringed as they watched the news Thursday morning, Ruden said. But they were also prepared to answer questions from travelers and ensure their trips went smoothly. "That's the stock and trade of a travel agent," he said. "They know from experience that things are not always going to go smoothly." Travelers will adapt quickly, he said. "People aren't going to give up a vacation because they can't carry toothpaste on the airplane," Ruden said. But the new regulations are causing some inconveniences for travelers. DiAnn Reamer, owner of Theran Travel in South Bend, said she has heard from cruise passengers coming back with alcohol they've purchased during their trip. "Basically, the airlines are demanding that they pack 'em," she said. And there are the things no one thinks about, Reamer said, like liquid lip gloss -- the kind where the applicator wand is attached to the cap. Reamer herself leaves on a cruise Saturday. "Would I cancel my trip? Heck no! No way!" she said. Staff writer Ed Ronco: eronco@sbtinfo.com (574) 235-6467